U.S. patent application number 12/629523 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for cooling member.
This patent application is currently assigned to JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY. Invention is credited to Matthew T. BOERMA, Mathias R. FOX, Steve M. HOOVER, Ivan JADRIC, Christopher J. KEIZER, David J. LAFORME, Julie S. MUSZYNSKI, Ronald C. PERRY, Kathleen S. ROGERS, Scott V. SLOTHOWER, Michael S. TODD, Justin D. WARNER.
Application Number | 20100071396 12/629523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43608885 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JADRIC; Ivan ; et
al. |
March 25, 2010 |
COOLING MEMBER
Abstract
A cooling member for a variable speed drive is disclosed. The
cooling member includes including at least two channels, each
channel including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a
first passageway configured to provide fluid to the at least two
channels through the at least one inlet of each channel, a second
passageway configured to receive fluid from the at least one outlet
of each channel the at least two channels, and a connector to
connect the cooling member to a second cooling member.
Inventors: |
JADRIC; Ivan; (York, PA)
; HOOVER; Steve M.; (York, PA) ; ROGERS; Kathleen
S.; (Dallastown, PA) ; TODD; Michael S.;
(Jacobus, PA) ; FOX; Mathias R.; (Zeeland, MI)
; KEIZER; Christopher J.; (Grandville, MI) ;
PERRY; Ronald C.; (Jenison, MI) ; BOERMA; Matthew
T.; (Holland, MI) ; WARNER; Justin D.;
(Harrisburg, PA) ; SLOTHOWER; Scott V.;
(Dillsburg, PA) ; MUSZYNSKI; Julie S.; (York,
PA) ; LAFORME; David J.; (York Haven, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
100 PINE STREET, P.O. BOX 1166
HARRISBURG
PA
17108-1166
US
|
Assignee: |
JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY
COMPANY
Holland
MI
|
Family ID: |
43608885 |
Appl. No.: |
12/629523 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12057787 |
Mar 28, 2008 |
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12629523 |
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11932479 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
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12057787 |
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60885932 |
Jan 22, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/20936 20130101;
F28D 15/00 20130101; F28F 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.2 |
International
Class: |
F25B 41/00 20060101
F25B041/00 |
Claims
1. A cooling member for a component of a variable speed drive, the
cooling member comprising: at least two channels, each channel
comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a first
passageway configured to provide fluid to the at least two channels
through the at least one inlet of each channel; a second passageway
configured to receive fluid from the at least one outlet of each
channel the at least two channels; and a connector to connect the
cooling member to a second cooling member.
2. The cooling member of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a
groove to secure a gasket or an o-ring between the cooling member
and the second cooling member.
3. The cooling member of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a
connection plate and the groove is positioned in the connection
plate.
4. The cooling member of claim 2, wherein the groove comprises a
pinch-point for securing the o-ring.
5. The cooling member of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a
fastener tab and a fastener receptacle to secure the cooling member
to the second cooling member.
6. The cooling member of claim 1, comprising a grounding strip in
electrical communication with a lining of a first component
mounting aperture and a second lining of a second component
mounting aperture, the component being mounted to the first
component mounting aperture.
7. The cooling member of claim 1, comprising at least one end plate
to seal the first passageway and the second passageway.
8. The cooling member of claim 1, wherein the cooling member is an
injection molded cooling member.
9. The cooling member of claim 1, comprising a hose barb configured
for quick connecting a hose to the cooling member.
10. A system for cooling an electrical component of a variable
speed drive, the system comprising: at least two cooling members,
each cooling member comprising: a base, the base comprising a first
surface to receive electrical components; at least two channels
positioned on the first surface, each channel comprising at least
one inlet and at least one outlet; a first passageway configured to
provide fluid to the at least two channels through the
corresponding at least one inlet of each channel; a second
passageway configured to receive fluid from the at least one outlet
of each channel of the at least two channels; and a connector to
connect the cooling member to another cooling member.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a
groove to secure a gasket between the at least two cooling
members.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the connector comprises a
connection plate and the groove is positioned in the connection
plate.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a
fastener tab and a fastener receptacle to secure the at least two
cooling members.
14. The system of claim 10, comprising at least one end plate to
seal the first passageway and the second passageway.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the at least
two cooling members is an injection molded cooling member.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the at least two cooling
members comprises two channels and a second of the at least two
cooling members cooling members comprises three channels.
17. The system of claim 10, comprising a grounding strip, the
grounding strip being configured to be in electrical communication
with the electrical component, a lining of a first component
mounting aperture, and a second lining of a second component
mounting aperture, wherein mounting the electrical component to the
first component mounting aperture grounds the electrical
component.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the at least two cooling
members comprises three channels and a second of the at least two
cooling members cooling members comprises three channels.
19. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the at least two cooling
members comprises two channels and a second of the at least two
cooling members cooling members comprises two channels.
20. A variable speed drive system, the system comprising: An
electrical component, the electrical component being in a heat
transfer relationship with a cooling system; and the cooling
system, the cooling system comprising: at least two cooling
members, each cooling member comprising: a base, the base
comprising a first surface to receive electrical components; at
least two tubs positioned on the first surface, each tub comprising
at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a first passageway
configured to provide fluid to the at least two tubs through the
corresponding at least one inlet of each tub; a second passageway
configured to receive fluid from the at least one outlet of each
tub of the at least two tubs; and a connector to connect the
cooling member to another cooling member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/932,479, filed Oct. 31, 2007, entitled
COOLING SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES AND INDUCTORS and is a
continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/057,787, filed Mar. 28, 2008, entitled COOLING MEMBER, both
being hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates generally to variable speed
drives. The application relates more specifically to a cooling
member for a power semiconductor module in a variable speed
drive.
[0003] Variable speed drives (VSDs) used for heating, ventilation,
air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems typically
use metal, for example, copper, cooling members or cooling blocks
for mounting and temperature regulation of insulated gate bipolar
transistor (IGBT) semiconductor switches. Metal cooling blocks are
expensive for use in VSDs due to high material and labor costs,
such as with machining, associated with manufacturing the metal
cooling blocks. VSDs may also use plastic cooling blocks for
cooling, which reduce material costs, but do not reduce labor
costs, since the plastic cooling blocks also require machining
Injection molding processes have generally not been used due to
large size and low volume of plastic cooling blocks. The size of a
particular cooling block is determined by the number of components,
for example, modules, which are to be mounted to the cooling block.
A cooling block may be designed to mount any number of modules.
Each module to be mounted to the cooling block requires multiple
channels to be machined into the cooling block to form a tub. Thus,
a single cooling block may have a plurality of tubs, depending on
the number of modules to be mounted thereto. For example, a cooling
block used in a VSD may have two to six tubs to receive
corresponding modules based on the output requirements of the
VSD.
SUMMARY
[0004] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a cooling
member for a component of a variable speed drive including at least
two channels, each channel including at least one inlet and at
least one outlet, a first passageway configured to provide fluid to
the at least two channels through the at least one inlet of each
channel, a second passageway configured to receive fluid from the
at least one outlet of each channel the at least two channels, and
a connector to connect the cooling member to a second cooling
member.
[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
system for cooling a variable speed drive including at least two
cooling members, each cooling member including a base, the base
including a first surface to receive electrical components, at
least two channels positioned on the first surface, each channel
including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a first
passageway configured to provide fluid to the at least two channels
through the corresponding at least one inlet of each channel, a
second passageway configured to receive fluid from the at least one
outlet of each channel of the at least two channels, and a
connector to connect the cooling member to another cooling
member.
[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
variable speed drive system including a temperature regulated
component, the temperature regulated component being regulated by a
cooling system and the cooling system. In the embodiment, the
cooling system includes at least two cooling members. Also, each
cooling member includes a base, the base including a first surface
to receive electrical components, at least two tubs positioned on
the first surface, each tub including at least one inlet and at
least one outlet, a first passageway configured to provide fluid to
the at least two tubs through the corresponding at least one inlet
of each tub, a second passageway configured to receive fluid from
the at least one outlet of each tub of the at least two tubs, and a
connector to connect the cooling member to another cooling
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a Heating,
Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) system
in a commercial environment.
[0008] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of
a vapor compression system that may be used in the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a portion of a variable
speed drive system with an exemplary embodiment of a cooling
member.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a plurality of cooling members located on a
power electronics assembly in an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a cooling member.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a cooling member.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a cooling member.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a cooling member.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a plurality of cooling
members in an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 10 shows a bottom perspective view of a plurality of
cooling members in an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of a cooling member.
[0018] FIG. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of the cooling
member in FIG. 11.
[0019] FIG. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of two cooling
members in an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 14 shows a bottom perspective view of two cooling
members in an exemplary embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 15 shows a top perspective view of the two cooling
members of FIG. 13 with components mounted thereon.
[0022] FIG. 16 shows a bottom perspective view of the two cooling
members of FIG. 15 with components mounted thereon.
[0023] FIG. 17 shows a top perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a cooling member with components and hose barbs
attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary environment for a Heating,
Ventilating, Air Conditioning system (HVAC system) 10 in a building
12 for a typical commercial setting. System 10 may include a
compressor incorporated into a vapor compression system 14 that can
supply a chilled liquid that may be used to cool building 12.
System 10 can also include a boiler 16 to supply a heated liquid
that may be used to heat building 12, and an air distribution
system that circulates air through building 12. The air
distribution system can include an air return duct 18, an air
supply duct 20 and an air handler 22. Air handler 22 can include a
heat exchanger that is connected to boiler 16 and vapor compression
system 14 by conduits 24. The heat exchanger in air handler 22 may
receive either heated liquid from boiler 16 or chilled liquid from
vapor compression system 14 depending on the mode of operation of
system 10. System 10 is shown with a separate air handler on each
floor of building 12, but it will be appreciated that these
components may be shared between or among floors.
[0025] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of
vapor compression system 14 with VSD 26 that may be used in
building 12 in FIG. 1. Vapor compression system 14 may include
compressor 28, a condenser 30, a liquid chiller or evaporator 32
and a control panel 34. Compressor 28 is driven by motor 36 that is
powered by VSD 26. VSD 26 receives AC power having a particular
fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from AC power source 38
and provides AC power to motor 36 at desired voltages and desired
frequencies, both of which can be varied to satisfy particular
requirements. Control panel 34 can include a variety of different
components such as an analog to digital (A/D) converter, a
microprocessor, a non-volatile memory, and an interface board, to
control operation of vapor compression system 14. Control panel 34
can also be used to control the operation of VSD 26, and motor
36.
[0026] Compressor 28 compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers
the vapor to condenser 30 through a discharge line. Compressor 28
can be any suitable type of compressor, for example, a screw
compressor, a centrifugal compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a
scroll compressor, etc. The refrigerant vapor delivered by
compressor 28 to condenser 30 enters into a heat exchange
relationship with a fluid, for example, air or water, and undergoes
a phase change to a refrigerant liquid as a result of the heat
exchange relationship with the fluid. The condensed liquid
refrigerant from condenser 30 flows through an expansion device
(not shown) to evaporator 32.
[0027] Evaporator 32 may include connections for a supply line and
a return line of a cooling load. A process fluid, for example,
water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine or sodium chloride
brine, travels into evaporator 32 via return line and exits
evaporator 32 via supply line. The liquid refrigerant in evaporator
32 enters into a heat exchange relationship with the process fluid
to lower the temperature of the process fluid. The refrigerant
liquid in evaporator 32 undergoes a phase change to a refrigerant
vapor as a result of the heat exchange relationship with the
process fluid. The vapor refrigerant in evaporator 32 exits
evaporator 32 and returns to compressor 28 by a suction line to
complete the cycle.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows one part of a variable speed drive 26 with a
plurality of switches 40 that are placed over cooling members 42.
VSD 26 may be used to provide desired power to motors for different
applications or HVAC systems. For example, such a motor may drive a
compressor of a vapor compression system. Switches 40 of the VSD 26
are depicted as an Infineon module with 3 dual IGBT's, but other
semiconductor devices or other electronic components that require
cooling may be cooled with cooling members 42. Pipes 43, 45 are
connected to inlet passageway 47 and outlet passageway 49,
respectively to introduce cooling fluid into and remove cooling
fluid from cooling members 42. Pipes 43 and 45 or other suitable
flow passages are connected to a cooling system, which provides a
continuous flow of cooling fluid to cooling members 42. A cooling
fluid is applied to pipe 43, flows through the member 42, and flows
out through pipe 45.
[0029] A variety of different cooling fluids, including condensed
water, water and known refrigerants can be circulated in cooling
members 42 and used to cool the electronic components. In addition,
a variety of different cooling systems can be used to cool the
cooling fluid that exits from cooling members 42.
[0030] Cooling members 42 cool modules in a VSD 26 used to power a
motor of an HVAC system. The modules can be connected to cooling
member 42 in a sealed relationship. The cooling fluid applied to
cooling member 42 can be water that flows through cooling member 42
and a heat exchanger in a closed loop. The heat exchanger cools the
water before it is reintroduced to cooling member 42. The heat
exchanger can be a shell and tube type heat exchanger and water
from a cooling tower of the HVAC system can be used to cool the
water applied to cooling member 42.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a plurality of cooling members 42 to be mounted
to a component of VSD 26. Cooling members 42 are positioned
vertically and mounted on the side of components 74 (for example,
dc link capacitors). In another embodiment, components 74 may be
oriented in any suitable orientation, such as, vertical,
horizontal, or diagonal.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, cooling
member 42 includes a plastic base 44 having a channel 46 formed on
the top surface 48. In alternate embodiments, cooling member 42 may
be composed of other materials such as non-metallic materials. A
component, for example, a semiconductor module, can be mounted on
top surface 48. Channel 46 formed on top surface 48 provides a
space for an o-ring (not shown) to seal against a base plate of the
component. Base 44 has an inlet passageway 47 that extends through
base 44 and an outlet passageway 49 that extends through base 44.
Passageways 47 and 49 have predetermined diameters 60, or cross
sectional area for alternate profiles, that are sized to satisfy
the flow rate and pressure drop requirements when multiple cooling
members 42 are used together. For example, in one exemplary
application of a 1300 hp VSD design, six cooling members are used
together. It is to be understood that passageways 47 and 49 are not
limited to a circular profile. A cooling liquid, for example,
condenser water, is circulated through passageways 47 and 49 to
provide cooling to the component.
[0033] Base 44 has a tub 41 or channel formed in top surface 48 for
providing cooling to a component. A portion of cooling fluid
flowing through inlet passageway 47 is diverted through a tub inlet
51 or channel inlet, across tub 41 or channel, and discharged
through a tub outlet 53 or channel outlet. The cooling fluid then
flows through outlet passageway 49. Cooling fluid flows across tub
41 or channel and has direct contact with a component. The cooling
fluid exchanges heat with the component to cool the component.
[0034] Base 44 has at least one mounting aperture 62 for mounting a
component to base 44. In addition, base 44 may have at least one
VSD mounting aperture 64 for mounting base 44 to an assembly of VSD
26. A connector or fastener, for example, a screw or other suitable
fastener, may be used to secure base 44 to assembly 75 and VSD 26.
Base 44 also has through hole 66, intended for a through-bolt or
other suitable fastener to secure and hold together multiple bases
44 for multiple components. When the through-bolt secures multiple
bases 44 together, o-rings or other suitable sealing devices are
compressed in grooves 68 to provide a seal between neighboring
bases 44.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another exemplary embodiment of cooling
member 42. Base 44 may have mating features or a connector, for
example, fastener tabs 70 and fastener receptacles 72. The
connector may connect one or more cooling members 42 to each other.
The connecting of cooling members 42 may be permanent,
semi-permanent, or detachable by any suitable mechanism. For
example, when fastener tab 70 is inserted into fastener receptacle
72, cooling members 42 may be permanently secured thereby
preventing cooling members 42 from being separated without breaking
fastener tab 72. Alternatively, fastener tab 70 may be detachable
by including an access region configured to receive a pin or
screwdriver. Inserting the pin or screwdriver into the access
region may permit fastener tab 70 to be released from fastener
receptacle 72. When multiple bases are fastened together, fastener
tabs 70 from one base may mate with fastener receptacles 72 on a
neighboring base, providing a snap-in mechanism for securing the
bases together. The snap-in mechanism also provides adequate
pressure on o-rings, which may be part of the connector, used to
seal between bases. Cooling member 42 may be manufactured by an
injection molding process or other suitable cost-effective process
or method.
[0036] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a plurality of cooling members 42
connected with components 74 to be cooled mounted on cooling
members 42. When a VSD has more than one component 74, each
component 74 is mounted to a corresponding base 44. As shown,
component 74 is a semiconductor module with a circuit board. For
example, if the VSD has four components 74, each component 74 is
mounted to a separate base 44 and each base 44 is secured to a
neighboring base. Base 44 may have a through-hole 66 extending
axially through the base 44 from side surface 54 to the opposite
side surface. At least one fastener, for example, a screw, may be
secured in through-hole 66 and into the through-hole of the next
base 44, thereby securing the multiple bases to one another. When
multiple bases are secured together, the passageways 47, 49 of each
base 44 are in fluid communication with each other, forming one
large passageway that extends through all of the bases. Inlet 47
and outlet 49 may have a groove 68 (which may be part of the
connector) to accept an o-ring or other suitable sealant or sealer.
When multiple bases are fastened together, the o-ring is compressed
between the bases to seal the passageways and prevent leaks. A
plurality of fasteners 78 may secure component 74 to cooling member
42.
[0037] FIGS. 11 and 12 show an exemplary embodiment of a cooling
member 42 having more than one tub 41 or channel formed in base 44.
FIG. 11 shows cooling member 42 having two tubs 41 or channels for
cooling components or devices. In other words, as many as two
components or devices may be placed on cooling member 42 to be
cooled. Each tub 41 or channel is formed a predetermined distance
or is evenly spaced from the center of cooling member 42. For
example, each tub or channel may be three inches from the end of
its respective cooling member 42 to maintain uniformity with all
cooling members 42 when interconnecting several cooling members 42.
A portion of cooling fluid flowing through inlet passageway 47 is
diverted through tub inlets 51, across tubs 41, and discharged
through tub outlets 53. The cooling fluid then flows through outlet
passageway 49. Cooling fluid flows across tub 41 and has direct
contact with a component or device to exchange heat with the
component and cool the component. Cooling member 42 includes a
connection plate 56 at the inlets 58 and outlets 76 of passageways
47 and 49 for facilitating the connection of an additional cooling
member 42 or additional cooling members 42 or termination plate.
Connector can include a connection plate 56 including a groove 68
for receiving an o-ring or other suitable sealing device. When the
cooling members 42 are mated or connected to each other, the o-ring
or other sealing device is compressed in groove 68 of each cooling
member 42 to provide a substantially leak proof seal between
cooling members. In other words, the o-ring or other sealing device
helps to prevent or minimize the leaking of fluid flowing through
passageway 47 and passageway 49 when multiple cooling members 42
are connected. In an exemplary embodiment, to increase ease of
assembly, groove 68 may be an o-ring groove containing several
pinch-points that hold the o-ring in place prior to assembling
cooling blocks. Connection plate 56 also includes a plurality of
fastener apertures 80 for receiving and securing a plurality of
connectors. In another embodiment, the O-ring and seal may be
formed from molded parts.
[0038] Referring specifically to FIG. 12, several ribs 84 are
formed within base 44. Ribs 84 are formed to provide structural
strength to cooling member 42 when a device or component is mounted
thereon. FIG. 12 also shows a device mount 86 for receiving a
fastener (not shown) and for securing a device or component, such
as an IGBT module to cooling member 42. FIG. 12 also shows
passageway 47 and passageway 49 extending through base 44, thereby
providing a flowpath for refrigerant or fluid through cooling
member 42.
[0039] FIG. 13 shows two cooling members 42 connected by fasteners
88 through fastener apertures 80, providing a four tub cooling
member 42 for up to four separate devices or components. End plates
90 are secured to the ends of passageway 47 and passageway 49 on a
side of passageway 47 and passageway 49 that is not connected to
another cooling member 42. End plates 90 prevent fluid from leaking
or flowing from cooling member 42 and maintain the fluid in
passageway 47 and passageway 49. O-rings can be compressed between
end plates 90 and connection plates 56 to prevent leaking of fluid
from passageway 47 and passageway 49. End plates 90 may be two
separate end plates 90, where each end plate 90 is secured to an
opening of passageway 47 and passageway 49, or end plate 90 may be
one unitary end plate 90, which extends across both openings of
passageway 47 and passageway 49. Fluid flow is maintained through
tubs 41 via tub inlets 51 and tub outlets 53. In other embodiments,
cooling member 42 may include three or more tubs. For example,
having two tub cooling members and three tub cooling members
enables one to form cooling members of four tubs, five tubs, or six
tubs, etc. with only two configurations of cooling members thereby
removing the need for a separate dye for each configuration.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of the cooling members 42 of
FIG. 13. Fasteners 88 are shown as being bolts with nuts to secure
one cooling member 42 to a second cooling member 42 through
connection plates 56. Fasteners 88 are also shown as being bolts
with nuts to secure end plates 90 to connection plates 56 to
prevent fluid leaking from passageway 47 and passageway 49.
[0041] FIG. 15 shows the cooling members 42 of FIGS. 13 and 14
having two components 74 mounted thereon. Components 74 are shown
as partial IGBT modules, however components 74 can be any suitable
device. Each component 74 is mounted to cooling member 42, such
that a single tub 41 is covered by one component 74.
[0042] FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the cooling members 42 of
FIG. 15. When components 74 are mounted on the same cooling member
42, a grounding strip 94 is mounted between components 74 on the
bottom of cooling member 42. Grounding strip 94 is mounted such
that one end of grounding strip 94 contacts a first component
mounting aperture 62 and contacts a second component mounting
aperture 62. Each component mounting aperture 62 is electrically
conductive and can have an electrically conductive portion 96
lining each component mounting aperture 62. Grounding strip 94 does
not contact component mounting apertures 62 from different cooling
members 42. In other words, grounding strip 94 does not cross over
connection plate 56 to an adjacent cooling member 42.
[0043] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of cooling members 42
similar to cooling members 42 shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 with
components 74 attached thereto. Hose barbs 92 are secured to an end
of passageway 47 and to receive fluid from passageway 49 to provide
fluid to passageway 47 and passageway 49. Hose barbs 92 may have
and `L` shape for facilitating attachment to a fluid supply or
source. Hose barbs 92 may also be any suitable shape for attachment
to a fluid supply or source and cooling member 42. Hose barbs 92
are secured to cooling member 42 with fasteners 88 through fastener
apertures 80 in connection plate 56. An O-ring can be compressed
between hose barbs 92 and connection plate 56 to prevent,
substantially prevent or minimize leaking of fluid from passageway
47 and passageway 49. In one embodiment, hose barbs 92 may include
a quick-connect feature configured to releasably attach to a hose
or other suitable member to hose barbs 92.
[0044] Cooling members 42 may be manufactured with an injection
molding process or other suitable processes. The use of an
injection molding process or other similar processes maintains
minimal costs of manufacture as well as uniformity between cooling
members. Cooling members 42 may be manufactured with a plastic or
other suitable non conductive material and may have distinct
properties which may include, but are not limited to being
non-porous, strength for supporting components mounted thereto
and/or chemical compatibility with the fluid flowing through
passageway 47 and passageway 49.
[0045] While only certain features and embodiments of the invention
have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes
may occur to those skilled in the art (For example, variations in
sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values of parameters (For example, temperatures,
pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,
orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the
claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be
varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is,
therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended
to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true
spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a
concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of
an actual implementation may not have been described (For example,
those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying
out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed
invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any
such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design
project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made.
Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but
would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication,
and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of
this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
* * * * *